Michael Martin steps down as Speaker of the House of Commons

May 19th, 2009

The Speaker of the House of Commons was today forced to resign as the scandal around MPs’ expenses spiralled. A Speaker hasn’t been forced into this position for more than 300 years.

Michael Martin, who has been an MP for 30 years announced his decision in the Commons today saying:

Since I came to this House 30 years ago, I have always felt that the House is at its best when it is united,” he said.

“In order that unity can be maintained, I have decided that I will relinquish the office of Speaker on Sunday June 21. This will allow the House to proceed to elect a new Speaker on Monday June 22.

“That is all I have to say on this matter.”

Some people think that Mr Martin has been made a scapegoat for all the MPs who made inappropriate claims on their expenses. Some MPs, it is reported, claimed on their expenses for gardeners, interior designers and housekeepers, whilst others avoided paying tax on a main residence, claimed second home allowances on properties with no mortgage and even claimed rental money for office space which was in their own garage. It is the type of scandal that could bring down Parliament with calls Parliament to be dissolved immediately.

How can we have any faith in our MPs when they are willing to take the taxpayer for a ride - even if the claims are ‘within the rules’.

Entry Filed under: politics